Trans-Mongolian Odyssey

Subject: Round 2

Bangkok to Russia
May 3rd 2005 – 16th June (45 days from last email)

Priviet from Russia :D

Well I thought it's about time to babble some more shit to you lot, that plus there's free internet at the hostel :p
Well it’s my last day in Russia and it's kinda sad. Its gets a really bad wrap in most of the guide books and other info around the place but the people here are some of the most friendliest people I've ever met, and more than happy to shout a few Vodka shots (although it did take us about 10 minutes to explain what "shouting" drinks actually meant)

We arrived in Russia via the Trans-Mongolian train, starting off in Beijing and shooting across to Mongolia then up to Moscow via Siberia. Was a fantastic trip, and ended up with 5 in our tour group with another 2 Aussies, a Kiwi and Irish bloke.

Mongolia was absolutely amazing and the women were truly stunning, which totally blew us away. I don't know I kinda thought they all walked around in layers and layers of clothes cause its so fucken cold, but to our delight they do not, more the skimpy skirts and plunging top variety and with the body of half Russian and half Chinese which to my shock is a really good mix.
But anyway, our City Leader in Ulan Baatar was a virgin tour guide, so we were his very first group, and we're not sure if he quit his job after us, but he was well tired, hung over and was very happy to get us on that train.
I don't think Mongolians are very big drinkers LOL plus we were his first Aussies, so nights of drunken loudness pursued. So anyway 2 nights in Mongolia, one night in the capital exploring the night life and the other in a Ger Camp out in the sticks where the sun is still setting at 10pm, sheesh

So Mongolia in a nut shell...beautiful women, friendly people, cheap booze and well…beautiful women LOL
So we packed all our shit back onto the train and chug off for 2 days off to Siberia and Irkutsk, after this is all went a little bit interesting.
So since were on the "Vodka Train" (yes that was our proper tour name) we thought since were going to be stuck on this train for 4 days straight we might as well stock up some beverages of the alcoholic variety. So 2 slabs of beer and a bottle each of vodka we head off for Moscow.

Ok so fast forward to the first night (4 hours after boarding) we decide to taste test of newly acquired spirit cause fuck were in Russia the vodka capital of the world right. So there we are stuffed into our cabin with our kiddie pig mugs and getting through our vodka. 2 bottles and an angry carriage maid latter we get a knock on the door from security (who knew these train had security, guns, bats and all!)
Since we had being reading our phrase book all day we kinda knew what he was saying plus the hand gestures helped. Ok long story short, he didn’t like us making a racket and was gesturing that we were pissed as fuck and to go to sleep or else we're off at the next stop. He left and we thought about it for a little and decided that that was not a good idea as it was only 8pm and hell the party had just started. So the drinking continued and he comes back with his security buddy and confiscates all of our alcohol - 2 slabs and a bottle of vodaka!
Not only that he tells the dining cart, drink trolley, and carriage maids not to sells us ANY alcohol or to bring any aboard (What a bastard!)
I really think our down falling was that we were running up and down the carriages and apparently one of the fellas threw up along the hallway walls and toilets LOL know wonder the maid was not a happy camper, must have being quite the clean up. But in all fairness we still had a hoot of a time alcohol or not.

So we hit Moscow and did the tourist stuff and finally in a month I get some good music, bout bloody time, was having some kind of withdrawal symptoms. All I'm gonna say is that Russian women are one hard lot, they just love to tease and drive you insane, but it turned itself into a challenge of sorts with everyone looking for the secret "pass-key".
Well that was in Moscow, St Petersburg the girls and people in general are much more friendlier and can speck a lot more English which is a god send, seems to make things so much easier not that we found the “pass-key” mind you
Well know one is hassling me to get off the computer, so ill keep on yammering, I don’t keep a journal so this is it right here.

Well since its fresh on the brain and the brain cells haven't yet died off, last night Faithless were in town and of course it was a top night as always, we missed the first hour as we got "stuck" at the hostel drinking vodka but nether the less made it in time to see the stadium absolutely pumping and afterwards after doing a bit of sloothing around the streets we found the only drum and bass club in Russia. Was like a god send from heaven, 3 floors of DnB, was heaven on a stick. My legs had being itching for a stomp since Asia, Thailand and even Russia the hardest it seems to get is Trance and Euro-Pop which is no good to no one.

Well fingers are starting to tire and you lot are probably drooling at the keyboard in boredom, so China and Bangkok are gonna have to take a back seat for now, until I still I see you all.

Will probably talk to you all after Glastonbury festival and might even meet up with a few of you mofos!
No new photos yet, Is quite the mission to get them off my camera and sorting them out, maybe next week LOL

Catch ya guys
Jase :D
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Check out the pics here >>> http://redmonkey.smugmug.com/Backpacking%20Jaunts/189933